Loose-leaf binder.



PATENTBD NOV. 27

G. LABARRE. LOOSE LEAF BINDER. APPLIGATiON FILBD'DEO.26,1905.

, 0 w m a PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE LABARRE, OF NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA.

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 2'7, 1906.

Application filed December 26,1905. Serial No. 293,362-

Be itknown that I, GEORGE LABARRE, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at New Orleans, in the parish of Orleans and State of Louisiana, have invented new and useful Im rovements in Loose-Leaf Binders, of which t he following is a specification.

This invention relates to loose-leaf binders of that type in which parallel leaf-holding bars are employed in connection with means for adjusting said bars relatively to each other, so as to vary the space or distance between the same, together with means for holding the bars in their adjusted positions after the desired adjustment has been effected.

The object of the present invention is to provide novel and reliable means carried by one of the bars for locking and holding the same in fixed relation to the other bar.

lVith the above and other objects in view the invention consists in the novel construc tion, combination, and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter fully described,illustrated, and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of the loose-leaf holder. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the same. Fig. 3 is a detail plan view showing the relation between the cam and the sliding jaws or clamps.

Like reference-numerals designate corre sponding parts in all the figures of the drawings.

. he loose-leaf binder or holder comprises substantially parallel bars 1 and 2 of any suitable length and preferably constructed of metal tubing rectangular in cross-section.

What may be termed the stationary bar 1 is provided with posts 3,havinga fixed relation thereto and extending laterally therefrom, while the adjustable bar 2 is provided with openings 4 to receive the posts 3 and permit the bar 2 to be adjusted lengthwise of said posts and in this way to accommodate any desired number of sheets which may be held clamped between the bars 1 and 2.

\Vithin the bar 2 is a stationary j aw-plate 5, which is provided at or near its ends with openings 6 in line with the openings 4 to re ceive the posts 3. The plate 5 fits snugly within the tubular bar 2 and is provided with channels or recesses 7, in which are arranged sliding jaws or clamps 8 each having its outer endforked, as shown at 9, to partially embrace and frictionally engage one of the posts 3, the outer end of the recess 7 being enlarged, as shown at 10, to accommodate the movements of such forked extremity of each of the jaws or clamps S.

Centrally the recess 7 is enlarged in circular form, as shown at 11, to provide space for an oscillatory cam 12, the outer curved and eccentric working edge or face of which cooperates with the correspondingly-concaved inner working faces or edges of the sliding jaws or clamps 8, as clearly shown in Fig. 3, so that as the cam is turned the jaws or clamps 8 are forced apart and their outer ends caused to bind against the posts 3 and lock the plate 2 in position.

In order to retract the jaws or clamps 8, the cam 12 is provided with retracting-fingers 13, projecting somewhat tangentially and on a curve from the outer edge of the cam at diametrically opposite points, while the jaws or clampsS are notched or cut away at their inner corners to provide curved shoulders or working faces 14, with which the retracting-fingers 13 cooperate in such manner as to draw the clamps 8 inward toward each other and relieve the clamping engagement thereof with the posts 3.

The cam 12 is provided with a socket or key seat 15, adapted to receive a suitablekey for turning the cam to effect the operation above described, and the casing of the tubular bar 2 is cut away to provide for the attachment of an escutcheon-plate 16, secured in place by any suitable means and provided with an opening 17 to admit the key.

By means of the construction above described all of the operative parts of the clamping mechanism are housed and concealed within the bar 2, and said mechanism provides for positively operating the jaws in both directions, for forcing them into engagement with the posts, and withdrawing them from engagement therewith. It will also be seen that the housing-plate inserted in the tubular bar 2 removes all strain from the tubing, the entire clamping strain being carried by said plate and preventing the posts from being spread outward against the thin edges of the tubing, which would in a short time impair the working of the clamping mechanism and render the binder as a whole unreliable. The construction described also adds materially to the strength, life, and durability of the binder as a whole.

IIO

The outer ends of the recesses 7 are enlarged, as shown at 10, to accommodate the movements of the forked extremity of each of the aws or clamps 8, so as to limit the outward movement of said clamps, as when the member 2 is removed from posts 3, should said member be tilted on end. theclamps 8 will be held sufficiently checked at 9 so as not to cover the holes 6 and also keep the curved shoulders 14 of clamps 8 in such position that the retracting-fingers 13 of the cam 12 can engage the same.

Having thus described the invention, What I claim is 1. A loose-leaf binder comprising oppo-.

sitely-located leaf-holding bars,- posts connected to one bar and passing through the other bar, a stationary jaw-plate housed Within one bar and having openings for the posts in line with the openings in the bar, sliding jaws or clamps working in channels in said bar, and an operating-cam also mounted within said bar and adapted to force the jaws into engagement with said posts and retract the same.

2. A loose-leaf binder comprising leaf-holding bars, posts connected to one bar and passing through the other bar, and clamping mechanism mounted wholly Within one bar and embodying oppositely-arranged sliding jaws or clamps the outer ends of which are adapted to frictionally engage the posts, and the inner ends of which are provided with V- shaped notches forming curved shoulders, and a cam interposed between the inner ends of said jaws or clamps and provided with retracting-fingers movable into and out of said notches to engage the curved shoulders, substantially as and for the purpose described,

In testimony whereof I afiiX my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

GEORGE LABARRE.

.Witnesses:

DELVAILLE H. THEARD, R.-J. NoeUEs. 

